While Christmas dinner may take center stage during the holiday season, many of us can’t get enough desserts that come afterward!
There’s something special about that combination of flavors and textures. These sweet treats are alluring, but there are so many possibilities!
We’ve put together a list of delectable Christmas dessert ideas you should try this year to make it easier.
Just keep reading to find out what they are! With Christmas right around the corner, we’re feeling extra festive with all the holiday parties and gatherings that come along with the season.
It’s time to whip up some delicious desserts to serve your guests. This is, so they have something sweet to snack on while you enjoy your champagne and eggnog!
Here are our favorite Christmas desserts ideas from this year that we can’t wait to share with our family and friends during the holiday season!
1. Oatmeal-Cherry Slice-and-Bake Cookies
The first of our list of the Christmas dessert ideas that you should try out is Chocolate-dipped oatmeal cookies.
These sweet and simple treats will make you a favorite among the cookie exchange participants. These Oatmeal-Cherry Slice-and-Bake Cookies come together in minutes and are perfect for any occasion.
Whether you make them for your family or share them with friends, they’ll be gone in no time. The recipe yields large cookies, but if you want more of a traditional cookie size, cut them in half before baking.
Butter (softened), light brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, oats (uncooked), and dried cherries.
2. Sugar Cookie Stars
These Sugar Cookie stars are the second on the list of various Christmas dessert ideas. To prepare:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a bowl.
- Add cold butter and cut into the mixture until it resembles small peas and pea-sized chunks.
- Stir in egg, then mix with a fork until it forms a ball, but don’t over-mix!
- Roll the dough onto a floured surface (can use wax paper) into an even layer about 10 inches wide by 12 inches long and 3/8 inches thick.
- Be careful not to overwork the dough when you’re rolling it out!
3. Gingerbread Cowboy Boot Cookies
Looking for the perfect Christmas dessert ideas? What’s better than a gingerbread cookie? A cowboy boot cookie!
With this easy recipe, you can have a tasty treat without all the hassle of making a complicated dessert. All you need is some gingerbread dough and a cookie cutter in the shape of your choice.
Bake up your cookies until they are completely cool, then decorate them with icing or chocolate! Add some orange sprinkles if you want something extra festive!
4. Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Rolls are perfect Christmas dessert ideas. They are easy, popular, and taste delicious. The best part about making them is that they can be made in advance.
So all you have to do is pop them into the oven when you’re ready for dessert! Here’s how to make cinnamon rolls as a Christmas dessert: In a bowl, mix softened butter with brown sugar until it forms a paste.
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract. In another bowl, mix all-purpose flour with salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
5. French Silk Pie
French Silk Pie is a delicious dessert with a light, fluffy chocolate filling with a delicate crust. The pie is made by pouring hot water on sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder.
After, whisk in egg yolk and heat the mixture until it thickens. You then add milk and vanilla extract to the mixture before pouring it into a baked pie crust.
The pie can be served warm or cold with whipped cream. This recipe is perfect for holiday entertaining because it can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve! This is one of the best Christmas dessert ideas you should try out this season!
6. Gingerbread Slice-and-Bake Cookies
Gingerbread Slice-and-Bake Cookies are easy and delicious Christmas dessert ideas that will make your table festive.
All you need is a can of gingerbread cookie dough, chocolate chips, white sugar, ground ginger, and cinnamon. To make: Spread the dough on parchment paper, then sprinkle it with sugar and spices.
Next, bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until browned. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into cookies. Finally, arrange on a platter with other desserts for a sweet holiday presentation!
7. Yule Log
A yule log is a traditional French dessert usually served after the main course. The dessert is shaped like a log, with chocolate cream filling in the center and layers of cake on either side.
Meanwhile, Yule logs are also known as bûche de Noël or Christmas cake in France. Plus, they are easy enough to make and can use different flavor combinations of fillings. All of these make it one of the preferable Christmas dessert ideas!
8. Apple-Pear Lattice Pie
This Apple-Pear Lattice Pie is an absolute showstopper of a dessert. It’s got all the flavors of the holidays baked right in! Plus, it’s so easy to make; there’s no doubt as to why this is one of the best Christmas dessert ideas.
You can use store-bought pie crust or make your own. For this recipe, I’ve included instructions for both options.
The lattice topping is made with puff pastry and requires no rolling or crimping skills whatsoever. Cut it into strips, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar and spices.
Once you’ve assembled the lattice top, you’ll bake it until beautifully golden brown, and then let it cool before slicing and serving.
9. Peppermint Meringues
This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a not-so-traditional holiday dessert. The peppermint flavor is reminiscent of Christmas, and the meringues are light and fluffy.
Ingredients: egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, red food coloring, and finely crushed peppermint candies (optional).
To prepare these amazing Christmas dessert ideas: Beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Do this until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes.
Gradually add in granulated sugar, a tablespoon at a time, while beating constantly. Continue beating until stiff peaks form, and the mixture is shiny, about 10 minutes more.
10. Apple-cranberry Galette
An apple-cranberry galette is one of the most delicious Christmas dessert ideas at this time of year. It’s easy to make, not expensive, and perfect for any holiday gathering!
Here’s how you do it:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, and flour until combined (this will be your crust).
- Peel, core, and thinly slice two granny smith apples into circles about 1/8 inch thick (you will need large slices).
11. Chocolate-peppermint Slice-and-Bake Cookies
Talk about the delectable Christmas dessert ideas that are perfect for the holidays; here’s one! This is because it’s quick, easy, and uses ingredients that are probably already in your pantry.
The peppermint extract gives these cookies a festive flavor that is perfect for the holidays! Ingredients: butter or margarine, softened sugar, and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Directions to make: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a large bowl.
Next, beat in eggs one at a time; mix well after each addition. Stir together milk and vanilla. Lastly, add gradually to the creamed mixture with a mixer on low speed until combined.
12. Maple Pecan Pie
Of the perfect Christmas dessert ideas to give a try, Pecan pie is a classic holiday dessert. But it can be pretty time-consuming and involved.
That’s why this maple pecan pie recipe is such a great idea! It’s quick and easy but still tastes like an old favorite.
The maple syrup also gives the filling a slightly different flavor than traditional pecan pies, making it perfect for the holidays!
You’ll need pecans, melted butter, sugar, eggs, and flour to work this dish. First, you want to melt your butter in a saucepan on low heat until it becomes golden brown.
Then add your sugar into the pot with the butter and stir until they’re combined.
13. Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
This is the perfect dessert for when you want something sweet but doesn’t want too much. These red velvet sandwich cookies are simple and delicious. Plus, they’re so adorable!
In fact, you can even make them ahead of time and freeze them for later. What a great idea for your holiday gathering with friends and family! So if you are seeking Christmas dessert ideas, this is a great option!
14. Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Rods
Another quick, easy treat that kids will love making with you is these chocolate-covered pretzel rods. The best part about this recipe?
It only takes three ingredients: pretzels, chocolate chips, and peanut butter. You should try this treat out if you want the best Christmas dessert ideas!
15. Pumpkin Cream Pie
Pumpkin Cream Pie is an amazing, easyssert idea that will please anyone. It’s creamy and delicious with just the right amount of sweetness, thanks to a dash of pumpkin pie spice.
It also looks pretty on your table, with its festive colors of brown and orange! Pumpkin cream pie is not only perfect as one of the Christmas dessert ideas but it can be enjoyed any time of year!
16. Coffee-Toffee Crunch Cake
This cake could be served for any occasion, but it’s especially festive for the holidays. The coffee and toffee flavors are just perfect for winter. I used a simple vanilla cake batter, but you can use any of your favorite flavor combinations.
To make this particular one of the Christmas desserts ideas, you’ll need the following:
- Strong brewed coffee.
- All-purpose flour.
- Salt.
- Unsalted butter softened.
- Granulated sugar.
17. Chocolate-Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies
Of the delicious Christmas dessert ideas, this is a great recipe for your holiday guests. The thumbprint cookies are easy to make, and the chocolate-peppermint filling is simple but delightful.
Plus, these cookies can be made ahead of time, so you won’t have to spend any time in the kitchen during the party! Yum!
I also love this Chocolate Raspberry Pavlova. It requires fresh raspberries mixed with sugar, cornstarch, and water. These will release all those delicious raspberry juices over the fluffy meringue.
18. Eggnog Crème Brûlée
We’ve created a list of delicious Christmas dessert ideas in the spirit of giving this holiday season. We hope these will inspire you to make some sweet treats with your family and friends that you can share with others during the holiday season.
From classic eggnog crème brûlée to a brand-new vegan chocolate hazelnut tart, our list includes something for everyone!
The next up to discuss amongst these is an elegant eggnog crème brûlée that’s perfect for holidays or any time of year.
If you’re looking for a festive dessert that doesn’t require too much work on your part, then this recipe is perfect.
19. Gingerbread Layer Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
This gingerbread layer cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting is the perfect family-friendly dessert for the holidays.
It’s easy to make, doesn’t require a ton of ingredients, and everyone loves it! First, start by preheating your oven to 350°F.
Secondly, lightly grease two 8-round cake pans and set aside. Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground ginger, and salt; set aside.
Whisk together sugar and eggs in a large bowl until thickened and light in color (about 3 minutes). Next, add butter, molasses, and vanilla extract; stir until well combined.
Stir in dry ingredients by hand until incorporated (don’t overmix!). Finally, divide the batter evenly between two prepared cake pans. There you have one of the sumptuous Christmas dessert ideas!
20. Ricotta Cheesecake
Ricotta cheesecake is a dense, luscious cake that is traditionally topped with a crunchy pecan or walnut crust. The best part about ricotta cheesecakes is that they are fairly simple and quick to make.
You can even use store-bought graham crackers for the crust if you don’t have time to make a homemade crust.
To save even more time, you can use an already-made cheesecake filling such as Smucker’s Cheesecake Filling instead of making it from scratch. This would certainly be one of the best Christmas dessert ideas you’ve ever tried!
21. Nutella Cookies
These are awesome Christmas dessert ideas. We love Nutella, and we love the holidays. So why not combine the two? These Nutella Cookies are a great dessert to make with your kids or friends this holiday season.
Plus, they are super easy and inexpensive. Give them a try! You won’t regret it. You will only be happy you made them. Enjoy these cookies during the holidays!
22. Nantucket Cranberry Pie
Talking about the various Christmas dessert ideas, this pie is a favorite holiday dish in New England. It’s easy to make and delicious that you’ll want to make it yearly.
You will need the following:
- Unbaked, deep-dish pie crust, chilled.
- Cranberries, fresh or frozen.
- Sugar.
- Salt.
- Orange zest (optional).
- Flour.
- Butter, cut into small pieces.
23. Nantucket Cranberry Pie
Nantucket Cranberry Pie is a classic Thanksgiving dessert that has been adapted for the holidays. It is one of the great Christmas dessert ideas; plus, it’s simple, delicious, and festive.
To make Nantucket Cranberry Pie, you’ll need a 9-inch pie crust, fresh cranberries, sugar, cornstarch and flour, salt, water, or juice from the cranberries.
Instructions: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine berries with sugar and water or juice until berries are tender. Then, stir in cornstarch mixed with flour and cook for one minute.
Next, pour the berry mixture into the pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the filling is bubbly. Lastly, serve warm with whipped cream if desired.
24. No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars are great Christmas dessert ideas for a last-minute dessert. You only need a store-bought graham cracker crust, creamy peanut butter, and chocolate chips.
To begin with, place the ingredients in a microwavable bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. Afterward, pour the mixture into your crust and refrigerate overnight or until it’s firm.
Cut into squares and serve! If you want these bars to be as delicious as possible, make sure that your peanut butter is at room temperature when you make them. You can even add chopped peanuts on top if you want more texture!
25. Pecan Sandies
Need quick Christmas dessert ideas for your holiday get-together? These Pecan Sandies are a classic and make the perfect stocking stuffer. Plus, they’re so easy to make!
All you need is a tube of refrigerated crescent dough, butter, light brown sugar, and pecans. To make this: slice the dough lengthwise into two long rectangles.
Then, spread butter on one side of each rectangle and sprinkle it with brown sugar. Next, sprinkle with chopped pecans and press them in gently.
Roll up the dough jelly-roll style into two logs and slice each into rounds. After that, bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Finally, serve warm or at room temperature as desired!
26. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie is a great dessert to make for the holidays. It’s easy and delicious and perfect for any family gathering.
Plus, you can make it a non-dairy vegan recipe by substituting coconut cream instead of dairy cream.
Now, the ingredients to make this delicacy of the best Christmas desserts ideas are:
- Pumpkin puree (unsweetened).
- Eggs (vegans use canned pumpkin puree + water).
- Vanilla extract or cinnamon or nutmeg; optional.
- Ground ginger.
- Salt.
- Brown sugar.
First, grease a pie dish with butter or cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, egg substitute, salt, and spices until smooth.
27. Chocolate Marshmallow Bars
On this list of Christmas dessert ideas, this is an easy dessert idea that tastes better than it looks. You will need marshmallows, chocolate wafers, butter, and vanilla extract for the recipe. The procedure: Place a chocolate wafer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Then, press in one marshmallow and then another; repeat until the entire pan is filled up (you may have to break some of the marshmallows into pieces).
Melt butter and vanilla extract together for about 30 seconds in the microwave or a saucepan over low heat.
Next, pour over the top of the bars and let them cool until set. Chocolate Marshmallow Bars are perfect for any occasion or holiday!
28. Pumpkin Roll
Pumpkin is a seasonal favorite, so why not use it for dessert this holiday season? Pumpkin rolls, which are equally one of the delicious Christmas dessert ideas, are not difficult to make, and the taste is delicious.
They’re also perfect for any dinner party or family get-together. Here’s how you can make them:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix pumpkin puree and sugar in a large bowl until smooth.
- Stir in cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, eggs, flour, and salt until well blended.
- Pour mixture into an ungreased 15×10 inch jelly roll pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly brown on top.
29. Pistachio Star Cookies
Pistachio Star Cookies are great Christmas dessert ideas for the holidays. They’re easy, festive, and so delicious! Plus, they’re gluten-free and vegan.
The recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies, but you can easily halve it for a smaller batch. Here’s what you need:
- Shelled pistachios (I used salted).
- Coconut sugar or brown sugar.
- Vanilla extract.
- All-purpose flour (you can also use half whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour if you prefer).
- Baking powder.
- Salt.
- Vegan margarine or coconut oil softened.
- Water.
30. Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan Pie Bars are also not left out of this list of the varieties of Christmas dessert ideas. To prepare: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup.
Whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and pecans in another bowl. Next, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and milk.
Combine all of the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until just combined. Then, spread the batter evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top and the toothpick inserted comes out clean.
31. Chocolate-Mint Ice Cream
Growing up, I used to love the chocolate-mint ice cream that was sold at the local ice cream parlor.
When I was looking through recipes for new Christmas dessert ideas, I decided to try and make my version of this flavor. I intend to do this with what ingredients I have on hand.
The result is a delicious dish that everyone will be sure to love! The requirements to make:
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Peppermint extract.
- Heavy whipping cream.
- Sugar.
Procedures: Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler until they are fully melted. Next, remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract. Lastly, allow the mixture to cool slightly before stirring it into whipped cream.
32. Cookies and Cream Rolls
These delicious cookies-and-cream rolls are great Christmas dessert ideas for the holidays. They’re easy to make and the perfect sweet treat for any occasion! Start by rolling out your dough and using a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
I found that round or square shapes work best for this recipe. Fill each shape with cream cheese frosting, then place them on a pan lined with parchment paper.
Next, spread more frosting on top of each one with an offset spatula (or just use a knife). Afterward, sprinkle sugar over them (I used granulated sugar).
Then, bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes until browned on top. Let cool before serving!
33. Apple Strudel
Apple Strudel is a classic dish that has been eaten for centuries and is popular worldwide. It’s often served as a dessert, and one of the best things about it is how easy it is to make.
You can use your favorite pie crust recipe or buy pre-made crust if you’re in a rush, but either way, this dish will be delicious.
Just take some butter and mix with flour until there are crumbs in the mix. Then, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until light brown. With this, you’ve got one of the best Christmas dessert ideas!
34. Fruit Cake
Fruit cake is a delicious alternative to traditional holiday desserts that can be served at brunch or as a dessert. They are especially popular in the UK and are often served as Christmas cake.
The fruitcake originated in England and was documented as early as 1837. Now, it is one of the sumptuous Christmas dessert ideas.
Fruitcakes were traditionally made with currants, raisins, candied peel, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
These may have come from the British colonial trade with Asia and Africa. In colonial America, yeast cakes would be baked for celebrations such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Yeast cakes evolved into fruitcakes which became very popular during the 19th century; because of their long shelf life during colder months when another fresh fruit was unavailable.
35. Gingerbread Cake
If you’re looking for Christmas dessert ideas that are sure to please, look no further than gingerbread cake. Not only is this cake delicious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make.
The recipe below serves eight, but feel free to double it if you need more. First, mix sugar, butter or margarine, ground cinnamon, and ginger in a large bowl.
Then, add eggs and beat the mixture until light and fluffy. Add self-rising flour mixed with boiling water; beat well. Finally, spread the batter into a lightly greased 9-by-9-inch pan.
36. Italian Christmas Cookies
Italian Christmas Cookies are also great Christmas dessert ideas. They can be given as gifts or enjoyed with friends and family during the holidays.
The cookies are easy to make and inexpensive. All you need is flour, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, salt, and aniseed powder.
To start, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Use your hands to mix them until they form a sandy texture. Next, add the wet ingredients and continue mixing until everything is combined well.
The mixture should be sticky but not too watery; if it’s too thick, add more milk or water- whichever you prefer.
37. Pumpkin Cheesecake
I have a favorite pumpkin cheesecake recipe that I like to make this time of year. It is super easy and just requires a few ingredients.
You will need pumpkin pie filling, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and graham cracker crust.
The instructions on how to make this particular one of the delicious Christmas desserts ideas:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese and sugar.
- Add the pumpkin pie filling and vanilla extract, then whisk until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until blended well (about 1 minute).
- Pour mixture into graham cracker crust and bake for 50-60 minutes or until set in the center.
- Cool on a wire rack then chills overnight before serving with whipped cream or ice cream if desired!
38. Chocolate Pecan Pie
Chocolate Pecan Pie is a delicious and classic holiday recipe that is perfect for your family, friends, or even at the office.
The crust is made of crushed pecans and butter, which are then mixed with dark chocolate. The pie filling starts with dark corn syrup, brown sugar, and eggs cooked over medium heat until the mixture becomes thick.
Once it’s cooled off, you can mix in vanilla extract, salt, and melted chocolate before pouring the filling into the shell.
Finally, sprinkle some chopped pecans over the top and put it in the oven to bake for an hour or two until set. Looking for awesome Christmas dessert ideas? Chocolate Pecan pie is one!
39. Eggnog Cake
These are great Christmas dessert ideas for those who love eggnog, as they are made with eggnog. The cake is moist and fluffy and can be served warm or at room temperature.
To make the cake, you will need the following:
- Butter softened.
- Sugar.
- Eggs.
- All-purpose flour.
- Baking powder.
- Salt.
- Milk (or substitute with more eggnog).
- Vanilla extract.
40. Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
Christmas is right around the corner. Many people are probably feeling pretty overwhelmed with all the planning that must be done.
But don’t worry; there are plenty of easy Christmas dessert ideas you can make this year! These chocolate cake mix cookies are delicious and require only a few ingredients.
You can even use any leftover holiday baking supplies you have left over from other recipes.
41. German Chocolate Pie
German Chocolate Pie is a delicious and rich pie that will surely be the most popular dessert on the list of Christmas dessert ideas.
Start by melting butter, dark chocolate, and cocoa in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add in sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and evaporated milk, stirring until everything combines.
Next, pour it into an unbaked pie crust and bake for about 25 minutes or until the edges are set, but the center is slightly jiggly.
Allow it to cool for 30 minutes before topping it with sweetened whipped cream and some walnuts for decoration.
42. Christmas Rum Cake
Christmas Rum Cake is a favorite in most homes and one of the best Christmas dessert ideas you can make during the holiday season.
To make this cake, you will need butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, dark rum (optional), ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and all-purpose flour. Now, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
After that, grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper, then set aside. Then, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
Next, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Lastly, mix in vanilla extract, rum (optional), cinnamon, ginger, and flour until combined.
43. Ree’s Favorite Christmas Cookies
Ree’s Favorite Christmas Cookies are among the best Christmas dessert ideas. I’m not a cookie person, but this might just change my mind.
The dough is fluffy, and the chocolate chips melt in your mouth! The requirements are:
- Butter at room temperature (or butter + shortening).
- Sugar.
- Egg, beaten.
- Vanilla extract or almond extract.
- All-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling out the dough (not needed if you’re using your hands).
- Salt.
- Chocolate chips (I like to use semisweet).
- Milk.
44. Hot Chocolate Cookies
These Hot Chocolate Cookies are perfect for a holiday cookie exchange or as an after-dinner dessert. It’s not too sweet and has a lovely chocolate flavor with a little bit of heat from the cinnamon.
Plus, they’re gluten-free and sugar-free, so they’re great for people with dietary restrictions. All these qualify them to be preferable Christmas dessert ideas!
45. Chess Pie
Chess pie is a southern dessert that uses basic ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, and cornmeal. The custard filling is mixed with pecans, walnuts, spices, and bourbon. It’s usually served warm with whipped cream or ice cream on top.
Chess pie is easy to make and can be made ahead of time. This makes it one of the perfect Christmas desserts for when you have company.
To make:
- Whisk the eggs in a bowl until they are light in color.
- Add the sugar and whisk well until dissolved.
- Then, mix in the melted butter until blended with no lumps left.
- Add all of your dry ingredients together (cornmeal, baking powder, salt).
- Lastly, whisk them together well.
46. White Hot Chocolate
White Hot Chocolate is a great alternative to traditional holiday desserts. It’s sweet, rich, and delicious.
You’ll need milk, cream, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sugar (or your favorite sweetener) for a white hot chocolate.
However, if you want your drink sweeter, add some honey or maple syrup. You can also top it with whipped cream or marshmallows for extra sweetness.
If you desire the most delicious Christmas dessert ideas, you have no worries with this White Hot Chocolate!
47. Oreo Pie
Oreo pie is a favorite at any family holiday gathering. Also, it’s easy enough to make that you can whip up one for your family this year. The best part? It doesn’t take much time or money!
Here are the steps to make this sumptuous treat of Christmas desserts ideas:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Roll out the refrigerated pie crust dough and line a 9-inch pie dish.
- Put an Oreo cookie at the bottom of each crust, then crumble another Oreo.
- Fill the crust with whipped cream and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Lastly, let cool before slicing and serving.
48. Chocolate Mousse
Discussing the various Christmas dessert ideas without mentioning Chocolate mousse is wrong! This is a delicious and easy dessert to make for the holidays. It’s a light and fluffy chocolate-flavored dessert that will please any chocolate lover.
Start by pouring cold milk into a saucepan with sugar to get started. Next, put in unsweetened cocoa powder and heat the mixture on medium-low heat until it boils. Take the pan off the stove and let it cool down for five minutes.
Then, beat egg yolks with salt in a bowl until well blended. Pour in the milk mixture, constantly whisking as you pour, so it doesn’t cook the eggs too much.
49. Mint Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate cookies are always a winner, but this flavor combo is one of the perfect Christmas dessert ideas.
The creamy chocolate and peppermint extract gives these cookies an extra festive feel while tasting like childhood favorites.
Besides, the recipe itself is easy enough for anyone to make, so you won’t have any excuse not to indulge!
Just remember that they taste best when they’re warm from the oven. Consequently, pop them in before you’re ready to serve dinner.
50. Chocolate Pie
Nothing says Christmas like a delicious pie. Why not make a chocolate pie this year? This easy dessert will be the star of your holiday meal. Besides, it is one of the best Christmas dessert ideas, so you can’t expect less from it!
To make this decadent treat, you’ll need semisweet or dark chocolate chips and an unbaked 9-inch deep dish pie crust.
Place the pie crust in an ovenproof dish and set aside. Then, fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
51. No-Bake Peppermint White Chocolate Pie
This is a delicious no-bake peppermint white chocolate pie. The filling is made with sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate, and peppermint extract.
The crust has crushed Oreo cookies, butter, and sugar. This dessert tastes so good that you cannot stop eating it! I recommend this on this list of Christmas dessert ideas; it’s so awesome!
52. Scotcheroos
If you’re looking for different Christmas dessert ideas this year, you might want to try Scotcheroos. They are a mixture of peanut butter, Rice Krispies cereal, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows that melt together in the oven. Not only are they tasty, but they are also quite simple to make.
53. Orange Ricotta Cheesecake
I have been on a ricotta kick lately, so it’s no wonder I am always trying to find new ways to incorporate it into my food. Of the Christmas dessert ideas, try to enter this orange ricotta cheesecake recipe!
I had a whole bunch of oranges sitting on the counter and was looking for something sweet to make with them.
It just seemed right that they would be incorporated into a dessert. There is something so special about an orange cheesecake during the holidays, don’t you think?
54. Red Velvet Trifle
Trifles are one of the most decadent Christmas dessert ideas, and red velvet is one of the most popular flavors.
Here’s a recipe for a red velvet trifle that will have your guests craving more! Start by making a box of red velvet cake mix according to the directions on the back.
Once you have baked the cake and it has cooled, cut it into pieces and set them aside. Then, place butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder.
Next, cook for about 10 minutes or until it has reduced by about half. Then remove from heat and stir in sugar and salt until dissolved.
55. Mint Chocolate Swiss Roll
The great thing about this dessert is that you can make it up to a week in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready.
The mint flavor is subtle and not overwhelming, but if you’re not a fan, there are plenty of other options.
Moreso, you can use peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract for a stronger peppermint taste. I also like adding chopped Andes Mints on top for decoration. Undoubtedly, this is a great option for Christmas dessert ideas!
56. Gingerbread Doughnuts with Peppermint Glaze
This gingerbread doughnut recipe is the perfect holiday dessert for any time of year. The doughnuts are flavored with freshly grated ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and then dipped in a peppermint glaze.
These doughnuts are so good you will never want store-bought ones again! To make this treat which is likewise one of the best Christmas desserts ideas, you will need the following:
- Whole milk, warmed to 110 degrees F/45 degrees C.
- Fresh yeast.
- Granulated sugar.
57. Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake
This cheesecake is rich and creamy, with a thick chocolate ganache and peppermint flavor. The cream cheese filling is whipped to perfection with sugar and eggs, then blended with sour cream, vanilla extract, and heavy cream.
The filling gets topped off with crushed peppermints before baking in the oven for an hour. The cooled cheesecake can be sprinkled with a little powdered sugar just before serving if you want it extra pretty! We are still on our list of mind-blowing Christmas dessert ideas; don’t stop reading!
58. Almond-Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
Who doesn’t love a good thumbprint cookie? Topped with raspberry jam and almonds, these cookies are perfect Christmas dessert ideas for your family. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and egg. Once well mixed, add vanilla extract and flour; mix until just combined.
Next, roll the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about two inches apart from one another. This ensures that they have room to spread out while they cook.
59. Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies With Dulce de Leche
Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies With Dulce de Leche – delicious and festive Christmas dessert ideas!
These cookies are made from cookie dough flavored with molasses, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Then the cookies are rolled in sugar before baking.
Serve them warm with a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream or whipped cream. The ingredients are:
- Unsalted butter (at room temperature).
- Dark molasses.
- Freshly grated ginger root.
- Ground cinnamon.
- Ground nutmeg.
- Ground cloves
- All-purpose flour.
- Sugar (plus more for rolling).
- Vanilla extract.
- Salt.
- Zest of orange.
60. Sourdough Cranberry Orange Rolls
The perfect Christmas dessert ideas? Sourdough Cranberry Orange Rolls! These sourdough rolls are filled with a citrus orange filling that’s tangy and sweet.
The filling is fresh cranberries, orange zest, sugar, cornstarch, and water. To top it all off, we drizzled icing over the rolls.
61. Chocolate Swiss Roll
Compared with other Christmas dessert ideas, this delectable dessert is a classic and will never go out of style. There are many basic recipe variations, but we like this one for its simplicity.
The best part about it is that you can make it ahead and freeze it, so your family can enjoy it on Christmas day or during other festivities.
You’ll need to let it thaw for a few hours before slicing and serving, but we think the wait will be worth it!
62. Chocolate-Dipped Mocha Cannoli
This is a dessert that you can make in advance and have ready for when your guests arrive. Simply take cannoli shells, dip them in melted chocolate, and then roll them in cocoa powder or icing sugar.
You can even substitute the cannoli shell with waffle cones or wafers if you prefer. Then, fill the cannoli with mocha creme and garnish it with whipped cream, sprinkles, or cocoa powder. If you want Christmas dessert ideas that satisfy your guests’ palates, go for this!
63. Peppermint Fudge Ice Cream
Definitely not excluded from our list of delicious Christmas dessert ideas is the Peppermint Fudge Ice Cream.
The preparations are as follows: In a saucepan, melt together butter, sugar, and cocoa powder. Add a little evaporated milk (or whole milk).
Next, stir in peppermint extract. Allow the fudge mixture to boil for two minutes. Remove from the heat and add two cups of vanilla ice cream.
Then, stir until everything is combined well. Finally, pour into an airtight container and freeze for at least four hours before eating.
64. 7-Layer Cookies
7-Layer Cookies are a must-have at every family gathering during the holiday season. These cookies comprise seven classic cookie flavors: chocolate, buttery shortbread, coconut, pecan Sandies, gingersnap, and chunky peanut butter.
The best part about these cookies is that they’re easy to make! This scrumptious dessert is one of the incredible Christmas dessert ideas you should try out now!
65. Speculoos Cookies
Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, here are some delicious Christmas dessert ideas that satisfy your cravings and make your mouth water. The next on this list is a traditional Dutch cookie called Speculoos.
Going further, it’s made with butterscotch, cinnamon, sugar, and gingerbread spices. These cookies are usually cooked for about 10 minutes in the oven.
Then, they are cooled until they have the perfect level of sweetness. They’re traditionally eaten at Christmastime but can be enjoyed anytime.
66. Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Meringue Frosting
Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Meringue are surely included in this Christmas dessert idea list. The frosting is a light and fluffy twist on the traditional cupcake, perfect for your holiday dessert table.
The whipped marshmallow frosting is sweet and airy, delivering that classic marshmallow flavor you love.
It’s topped with a sprinkling of cocoa powder for an extra dose of chocolate flavor! The procedure to make:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Line two 12-count muffin tins with paper liners or spray them with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder until thoroughly combined.
67. Eggnog Cream Pie
This is another specialty on our list of varieties of Christmas dessert ideas. This recipe is perfect for the holidays because it’s easy to make and tastes like eggnog.
Plus, you can put the pie crust into a premade pie crust pan and cut out some leaves from the excess dough.
After that, you can use those leaves as decoration when you’re done baking it. Many people love this dessert but don’t know how to make it. I’ll tell you everything you need to recreate this delicious pie that everyone will love.
68. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
There are many Christmas dessert ideas, and Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are included. The preparations go thus:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix all of the wet ingredients until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients and stir well. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet and continue stirring until blended. Then, mix in red food coloring until the desired color is achieved.
- Next, in a small bowl, place sugar at the bottom for rolling cookies after they are baked. Place dough on each cookie sheet and press down with your fingers or a spoon to flatten slightly. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges turns light brown (watch closely).
- Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely before removing them from the pan. Finally, roll cooled cookies in sugar while still warm, and enjoy!
69. Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are always a favorite from the list of various Christmas dessert ideas. Warm, buttery, and filled with a sweet cinnamon sugar filling, these rolls are perfect for the holidays.
Plus, they’re so simple to make! The dough is prepared in advance and refrigerated until you’re ready to roll it out and add the filling.
Then, it bakes up beautifully in no time at all! It’s so warm and fluffy on the inside with a crunchy yet soft exterior that it’s hard not to indulge in one of these every time you walk by them.
They’re also great because you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. In fact, you can even wrap them up as gifts for friends or family members who live far away.
70. Amaretto Cheesecake
Love cheesecake? Love amaretto? Then this Amaretto Cheesecake is for you! Additionally, it is one of the best Christmas dessert ideas that will amaze you and your guests altogether.
This is a silky layer of the best cheesecake, a rich layer of creme fraiche, and a top layer of whipped cream finished with an amaretto-flavored sugar crust.
The beauty of this cheesecake recipe is that it doesn’t take long to make and can be served at any time during the holiday season.
71. Cranberry-Orange Cake
Orange and cranberries are a traditional flavor pairing at this time of year. What better way to enjoy them than in a cake? Our Cranberry-Orange Cake is light and fluffy but still rich with the flavors of orange zest, dried cranberries, and brown sugar.
Moving on, the recipe calls for both butter and oil. The butter makes it rich, while the oil ensures it stays moist.
The result is a moist cake that’s perfect for holiday parties. This is on the Christmas desserts ideas list and yields the best delicacies ever!
72. Peppermint Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Peppermint Swirl Brownies are a holiday favorite, but they can be time-consuming. Try these brownies if you’re looking for easy Christmas dessert ideas that still have that delicious peppermint flavor!
The decadent chocolate and peppermint swirls are the perfect mix of sweet and refreshing. Ingredients:
- Flour.
- Cocoa powder.
- Baking powder.
- Salt.
- Butter softened.
- Sugar.
73. Homemade 100 Grand Bars
One of my favorite candy bars is the 100 Grand Bar. I’ve been making them at home for years, and they are always a hit with friends and family. They are so easy to make that I’ve even made them as Christmas dessert ideas in the past!
Here’s how you can make these delicious homemade treats: Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and dark brown sugar.
Next, press into an 8×8-inch pan, and sprinkle with salt. Then, press the top down gently with wax paper.
74. Flan
This Mexican specialty is a rich and creamy custard dessert on the list of amazing Christmas dessert ideas.
The dish originates in Spain, but the Mexicans added vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves to their version of this popular Spanish dessert. It is most commonly served topped with caramel sauce or whipped cream.
This recipe is great because it is easy to make, and you don’t need many ingredients. The few ingredients are:
- Sweetened condensed milk.
- Evaporated milk.
- Whole kernel corn with liquid.
75. Chocolate Cupcakes With Peppermint Frosting
Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting are a delicious way to show your family and friends some love during the holiday season.
These fluffy cupcakes are moist, flavorful, and topped with a light peppermint frosting that will leave you feeling festive!
These cupcakes are perfect for parties, family gatherings, or just treating yourself after a long day.
The recipe is simple and easy to follow. So you can spend more time enjoying the holiday season with loved ones instead of in the kitchen.
To prepare this one on our list of the best Christmas desserts ideas:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare muffin tin by lining cups with paper liners; set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Finally, mix well.
76. Skillet Mocha Brownie Sundae
The Skillet Mocha Brownie Sundae is the perfect dish for a decadent dessert, but it’s also very easy to make.
Start with your favorite brownie recipe and cut it into small squares. Top each square with a scoop of coffee ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.
Then, sprinkle with espresso powder or chocolate shavings. Drizzle some hot fudge sauce over the top, and enjoy.
You can even use cookie cutters to shape dough pieces instead! As one of the amazing Christmas dessert ideas, you are guaranteed to enjoy every bit of it!
77. Red Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
This holiday season set the mood with a homemade dessert. Red Cherry Thumbprint Cookies are easy to make and taste delicious.
Gather all of your ingredients and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. When you’re ready, cream together the butter and sugar until it’s nice and fluffy.
Next, add the eggs one at a time until they’re mixed in well. After that, mix in the vanilla extract and the red food coloring (if you want them to be red).
Lastly, mix in the flour one cup at a time before adding your cherries. Now it’s time for baking! This is one of the best Christmas dessert ideas you shouldn’t miss out on!
78. Mini Turtle Cheesecakes
Of the different Christmas dessert ideas, this decadent dessert is easy and impressive. Start by heating heavy cream in a saucepan until it boils.
Secondly, whisk in the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Next, pour the mixture over finely chopped chocolate in a bowl and let it sit for one minute.
Then, add the whipped cream into the bowl and fold until you have a smooth mixture (you can also use store-bought whipped cream).
In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks with an egg white until they are light yellow. Lastly, beat them lightly with a fork before adding them to the chocolate mixture.
79. Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream
This ice cream is not excluded from the best Christmas dessert ideas list. This gingerbread cookie ice cream is made with a little bit of molasses and cinnamon in the cream.
It’s a perfect blend of flavors and smells like holiday magic. You’ll need some ingredients: heavy whipping cream, sugar, molasses, salt, cinnamon, gingerbread cookies, and eggnog.
First, crush the cookies into small pieces, then put them in a large bowl with the eggnog. After that, add all the spices and mix well with your hands until you have a nice dough-like mixture.
Put it in the fridge for about 30 minutes, so it firms up. Finally, use your hands to form doughnut shapes that are about 2 inches across.
80. Chocolate Sheet Cake
This recipe is the perfect go-to dessert when you don’t have much time on your hands and want something festive.
The best part about this cake is that it’s entirely made in one bowl, which means fewer dishes for you to clean.
You’ll need just five ingredients: baking soda, baking powder, butter, granulated sugar, eggs, salt, and chocolate chips or cocoa.
This cake, one of the Christmas dessert ideas, takes just 30 minutes from start to finish. In fact, it will be an instant hit with your family and friends.
The procedure:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Mix all dry ingredients (baking soda through salt) in a large bowl.
- Add in melted butter and mix until fully combined.
81. Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes
Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes complement this list of delectable Christmas dessert ideas too. First, in a mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, and then add vanilla extract.
Alternate adding the flour mixture with buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Stir in the espresso powder. Next, fill cupcake liners about two-thirds of the way full with batter.
Then bake for about 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of a cupcake.
82. Caramel Apple Pie
Caramel Apple Pie is a twist on the traditional apple pie with a homemade caramel sauce topping. You can also use this recipe for an easy family dessert by using store-bought dough and filling.
To make this delicacy of the best Christmas desserts ideas:
- Mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and water in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook until thickened and bubbly; remove from heat.
- Add butter and vanilla extract to the mixture; stir until the butter has melted completely.
- Add apples (fresh or frozen); mix well with a spoon until the apples are coated in the caramel sauce.
83. Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate Truffles are on the list of excellent Christmas dessert ideas. They’re easy to make and can be made ahead of time. You can also mix up the flavorings, creating all sorts of different combinations.
One popular recipe involves mixing white chocolate with a raspberry puree, then served with fresh raspberries. For more decadent truffles, you can melt dark chocolate for a rich and chocolaty taste.
This will keep your guests satisfied until their next meal (assuming they don’t eat them all in one sitting).
84. Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake
Lastly, this Spiced Pear Upside Down cake is on this list of various Christmas dessert ideas. It is best served after sitting out for a few hours so that the juices from the pears and apples can soak into the cake.
The directions to make: In a large bowl, combine sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
In another bowl, mix eggs, milk, and melted butter. Then, combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Stir in chopped walnuts or pecans if desired. Next, grease a 9×9 baking dish with butter or cooking spray; pour batter into the pan.
Afterward, place sliced pears and apples over the batter evenly spaced around the pan; then sprinkle with more sugar if desired.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This concludes our list of Christmas dessert ideas!
Conclusion
We hope these Christmas dessert ideas have given you some inspiration and that you’ll be able to try one or two of them over the holidays.
If we missed your favorite recipe, let us know in the comments below! Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without desserts.
Whether you’re hosting the dinner or bringing a dessert to someone else’s house, you want your dessert to be memorable. —Not just tasty but also beautiful.
If you’re looking for the most decadent Christmas dessert ideas, look no further than this list, which ranges from the classic to the unexpected!
